The Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation was formed in August 2011 to build and manage, on a not-for-profit basis, the first dedicated international cricket ground in Rwanda. The charity is run by a team of cricket enthusiasts from the UK and Rwanda, in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation.
Development of a 4.5 hectare site on the edge of Kigali, Rwanda's capital, is due to begin in January 2014. From there, the Rwanda Cricket Association can continue their excellent progress in developing the game in schools and universities as well as amongst Rwanda's most disadvantaged young people.
Development of a 4.5 hectare site on the edge of Kigali, Rwanda's capital, is due to begin in January 2014. From there, the Rwanda Cricket Association can continue their excellent progress in developing the game in schools and universities as well as amongst Rwanda's most disadvantaged young people.
WHY CRICKET & WHY RWANDA?
During three months in 1994 almost 1 million people - or 1 in 10 Rwandans - were brutally murdered throughout Rwanda in one of the most efficient genocides in history. In the months and years that followed, having grown up in exile in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, thousands of Rwandans returned home to rebuild their lives in the land of their ancestors.
In 1999 a small number of them formed the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA). In 2002 the RCA leased a small field from the Kicukiro College of Technology in Kigali, Rwanda's capital. Despite the RCA's excellent development programme, which has encouraged almost 5,000 Rwandans to take up the game, this uneven field remains the country's only cricket ground.
The construction of Rwanda's first dedicated cricket ground will provide a permanent home for the sport, helping its development and increasing opportunity for thousands of disadvantaged young people.
During three months in 1994 almost 1 million people - or 1 in 10 Rwandans - were brutally murdered throughout Rwanda in one of the most efficient genocides in history. In the months and years that followed, having grown up in exile in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, thousands of Rwandans returned home to rebuild their lives in the land of their ancestors.
In 1999 a small number of them formed the Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA). In 2002 the RCA leased a small field from the Kicukiro College of Technology in Kigali, Rwanda's capital. Despite the RCA's excellent development programme, which has encouraged almost 5,000 Rwandans to take up the game, this uneven field remains the country's only cricket ground.
The construction of Rwanda's first dedicated cricket ground will provide a permanent home for the sport, helping its development and increasing opportunity for thousands of disadvantaged young people.
THE PROJECT
Our mission is to construct and manage a not-for-profit international standard cricket and sports centre in Kigali, Rwanda, that will operate a 'sport for all' policy, allowing Rwandans from all backgrounds access to cricket.
The ground is to be constructed on a 4.5 hectare plot on the outskirts of Kigali. The project will be a multi-phased build, overseen in part by our architects Light Earth Designs LLP and Killian Doherty. This UK and Kigali-based, award winning practice have pioneered a beautiful thin shell vaulting technology which combines environmentally sensitive design with labour intensive, locally sourced material production. This technology will be used for the pavilion, offering a sustainable building solution which marries well with RCSF's long-term goals.
Our mission is to construct and manage a not-for-profit international standard cricket and sports centre in Kigali, Rwanda, that will operate a 'sport for all' policy, allowing Rwandans from all backgrounds access to cricket.
The ground is to be constructed on a 4.5 hectare plot on the outskirts of Kigali. The project will be a multi-phased build, overseen in part by our architects Light Earth Designs LLP and Killian Doherty. This UK and Kigali-based, award winning practice have pioneered a beautiful thin shell vaulting technology which combines environmentally sensitive design with labour intensive, locally sourced material production. This technology will be used for the pavilion, offering a sustainable building solution which marries well with RCSF's long-term goals.
PHASE 1 - INTERNATIONAL STANDARD CRICKET GROUND
Phase 1 will involve the construction of the following:
Phase 1 will involve the construction of the following:
- An international standard cricket ground (1 x Astroturf wicket; several grass wickets)
- Pavilion (with restaurant, bar and conference facilities)
- 6 x cricket nets
- Modest spectator seating
- Car parking (c. 80 spaces)
- Soft (green) landscaping
PHASE 2 - MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY
Phase 2 will involve the construction of the following:
Phase 2 will involve the construction of the following:
- Dormitory accommodation
- 6 x tennis courts
- Swimming pool
- Gymnasium
PHASE 3 - MANAGEMENT
The future management of the facilities is arguably the most important aspect of the project. In January 2012, 4 of the RCSF Appeal team travelled to Rwanda to begin the process of registering the RCSF, a job that was completed in March 2012. The RCSF in Rwanda will be the organisation responsible for the management of the facilities on a not-for-profit basis over the coming years.
The facility will be managed on a not-for-profit basis for use by three groups in particular:
The future management of the facilities is arguably the most important aspect of the project. In January 2012, 4 of the RCSF Appeal team travelled to Rwanda to begin the process of registering the RCSF, a job that was completed in March 2012. The RCSF in Rwanda will be the organisation responsible for the management of the facilities on a not-for-profit basis over the coming years.
The facility will be managed on a not-for-profit basis for use by three groups in particular:
- Rwanda Cricket Association - the RCA will benefit from an international standard cricket ground, enabling them to coach young cricketers as well as host club competitions, international matches and touring teams from abroad.
- Club members - membership of the Club will be offered on a monthly and annual basis, and will offer use of the tennis, swimming and other sports facilities.
- Underprivileged and talented young sportsmen and women - the RCSF will work with the RCA and other Rwanda sporting bodies to ensure access to the sports facilities for talented young sports people from around Rwanda. The centre will act as an academy of sporting excellence.